Improvement in mail-bag fastenings



, W. J..- STOWELL.

l Mail-Bag Fastnngs.

10.209,723. l Patented Now-5,1878;

N'PETEHS. PNoTaumoamPHEn, wnsumaron, u c.

UNITED ,STATES III-PA'rr-iNr Gr'ricn,

WILLIAM J. STOWELL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN MlL-BAG FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 209,723, dated November 5, 1878; application filed SeptembervBO, 1878. v t

` view of the upper portion of an open mail-bag having iny invention applied to it. Fig. 2 is a top or end view of the bag. Fig. 3 is aside view, showing the end of the bag closed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view in detail of a pori tion of the open end of the bag. Fig. 5 shows a mode of fastening the eyes or loops to the bag. Figs. 6 and 7 show the ticket-holder and its rope-clamps.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to mail-bags wherein a draw string or rope is applied at the open end of the bag for the purpose of closing this end when the bag is filled.

Previous to 'my invention the draw-rope was passed through eyelets made through the bag, which left loose loops of the rope inside of the bag, that caused great trouble and frequent mistakes while emptying the bag of its contents, in consequence of packages lodging on said loops and being arrested, or being thrown off upon the wrong pile; and previous to my invention the draw-rope had to be tied in a knot after the end of the bag was closed, which caused delay, and the knots were not always secure.

To obviate t-hese objections, the nature of my invention consists, first, in fixing loops or eyes on the outside of a mail-bag, near its open end, and passing the draw-rope through these eyes, so that none of the loops of this rope will beexposed on the inside of the bag nor bein the way while emptying the same; second, in combining with the draW-ropea clamping device, whichfwhen the end of the bag is closed, can 4be forced up tightly and will bite on the rope and safely hold the bag closed. At the,

same time the clamp can be quickly loosened when it is desired to open the bag, as will be u hereinafter explained.

The following description of my invention will enable others skilled inthe art to understand it. l

In the annexed drawings, A designates a mail-bag of the usual Well-known make, and B B are eyes or loops, which are fixed in any suitable manner on the outside of the bag, near its open end. These eyes or loops are arranged at proper distances apart, and they may be made of wire bent and fastened to the bag, as shown in Fig. 5, or they may be made and fastened to the outside of the bag in any other suitable manner.

C designates a rope, which is doubled, and its ends passed through holes a a of a ticketholder and clamp, hereinafter described, and then passed through the eyes or loops B on both sides of the bag A, and fastened at b b by knots or in any other suitable manner.

This is the draw-rope. by means of which and the combined holder and clamp the end of the bag is held tightly closed, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be seen that the inner side of the open end of the bag is perfectly clear of any obstruction which might interfere with a proper discharge of its contents.

The holder D is a strong narrow piece of metal, having parallel lips co and a frictionspring, d, to receive and retain in place the ticket which indicates the place where the contents of the bag are to be delivered. At

one end of the holder Done or more holes, a a,

are made, which, as above stated, receive through them the two portions of draw-rope C; and in close relation to these holes I apply one or more spring-tongues, S, which will allow the ropes C to be drawn freely through ropes are released from the bite of the tonguer ,f

or tongues S by pressing the finger against them through a hole, g, asindicated in dotted lines, Fig. 7.

I contemplate using a single sprin g-ton gue, S, instead of two tongues, as shown in Fig. 6; and either one or two holes, a, may be made for the rope C.

I ain aware that mail-pouches have been provided with projecting eyes or loops on one side of the bag, over which the iiap on the other side is fastened; but such is well known and not claimed, as my invention is applied to another class of mail receivers, known as pouches.7

Having described my invention,whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

\ shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence ot two witnesses.

h WILLIAM J. STOWELL.

Witnesses:

R. T. CAMPBELL, J. N. CAMPBELL. 

